Improved velocipede



' J. RANKIN.

Velocipede.

Patented April 27, 1869.

JAMES RANKIN ,YOF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

' Letters Patent No. 89,341, dated April 27, 1869.

IMPROVED VELOCIPEDE.

Theschedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the lame.

' at all whomit may concern Tfication, and in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved velocip al- 1 Fig-ages 2 and 3 are sectional views of parts of the same; nd 5 V Figure 4 is a side elevation of another part.

Like letters of reference/indicate like parts in the several figures.

The nature of myinvention consist's- First, in the combination with the clutching devices, by means of which motion is imparted to the wheels of a pulley so arranged and connected to the clutching devices as to reverse in connection with a band their motion alternately for the purpose hereinafter described;

Second, in the arrangement and peculiar operation of the guide-wheel; and

Third, in the arrangement of the brake in such a manner that the same can be operated instantaneously and effectively.

A represents the frame of the velocipede, the rear part of which supports the seat B, which may be secured in any suitable manner.

The front part of the frame curves downwardly and supports the platform 0, on the forward end of which is formed or otherwise secured a hollow standard D, in which a shaft E moves freely, this shaft being formed on the rear end of the fork F, between the arms of which the guide-wheel G has its bearings.

0n the. standard D is formed a flange, cl, extending rearward and ending in an upright lip, e, which is notched as shown at f.

Resting on flange d, and passed 'over a square part of the shaft E, is a forked sleeve H.

Between the rearwardly extending arms is pivoted a lever I, which when in position as shown in red lines fig. 2, rests in notch f, of lip e, and is thus prevented from moving laterally, the slot being so arranged that when the guide-lever I rests in it, the guide-wheel G will run ina line parallel to the line of motion of driving-wheels J. Y

The lips 6 may be formed into a rack with several notches, or the sleeve H may be made laterally adjustable on shaft E by means of a thumb-screw, so as to keep the guide-wheel G in any direction steadily.

The shaft E is held securely in standard Dhy means of a nut g.

- In suitable hearings on the under side of the rear part of frame A, moves the axle K of the drivingwheels J. v

Secured to the axle and moving with the same at a proper distance from each other and under the seat are disks L, (see fig. 4,) on the inner faces of which are formed one or more projecting-shaped flanges h, the inner ends of which are rounded so as to form a bearing for the hubs of the loose cylinders M, one side of which is formed by the disks L, the flanges h of which pass in the cylinder. v

These flanges h form a chamber for the reception of clutch pawls 0', 'one end of which projects beyond the periphery of disks L, while the other end rests in one corner of said chambers in such a manner that a circle described by the outer end with the resting point of its inner end for a centre, will not be concentric, but

eccentric with the periphery of the disks L, as shown in red line, fig. 4.

It will thus be understood that when the loose cylinders M are turned around the disks L, in the direction of the red arrow, fig. 4, the periphery of the said cylinders will be clutched by the pawls i, which latter are securely held in positiouby springs j, thus forcing the disks L to move with them, and that when the cylinders M move in the opposite direction, (see blue arrow, fig. 4,) they will-at the commencement of such motion, by reason of their still-continued contact, force the clutch pawls a against the spring j, and thus bring it within the periphery of disks L, which move with the axle, thus allowing the cylinders M to move in an opposite direction of disks L, and to slide over th latter.

At a proper point of the periphery of cylinders M are secured diflerent portions of a band N, the ends of which are secured to treadles 0, while its bight passes backward] y arounda pulley P, rotating in proper pendent bearings, formed on the rear part of frame A.

By-this means, while one cylinderM is moving in the direction of the motion of the axle, "imparting to it that motion by means of clutching the disk L, the band N, passing around the pulley P, in the same-db rection, forces the other cylinder M to move in the opposite direction, unclutching from and passing over its disks L, and vice verse. Thus acontinuous rotary motion is given to the axle by the reciprocating motion of the cylinders M, alternately'operated through band N, by the treadles 0; These latter have bearings on the under side of-the platform 0, which bearings are sufficiently broad to prevent any lateral movement of the treadles. v

The brake consists of a properly bent bar or rod R, having proper pendent bearings S, and provided with a central bend T projecting above the line of platform 0 and outside of the treadles O. This position of the treadle, and especially of the bend '1, enables the operator by a mere forward motion of his feet, away from the treadles O, to bring a powerful strain on the brake in an instant without being obliged to use his arms or otherwise move his body.

The operation of the device is as follows:

A rotary motion is imparted to the axle. and drivingwheels by means of the reciprocating motion of the cylinders M, in the manner above described. As long as the operator desires to move in a straight direction, he merely allows the lever I to rest in the notch f, of lip c. When he turns a corner or makes a curve, he has merely to lift the leverout of the notch to be at liberty to turn the guide-wheel in any desired direction.

.Having thus described my invention,

What I claim, as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination of the treadles O, disks L, cylinders M, band N, and pulley P, all arranged to operate as and for the purposes set forth.

2. The hollow standard D, on the platform G, situated between the axles of wheels G and J, to form the bearing of the shaft E of the guide-wheel Gr, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination and arrangement of the standard D, shaft- E, fork F, forked sleeve 11, and pivoted guidelever I, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination of the flange d, lip e, notch f, and pivoted lever I, as and for the purpose set forth.

The above specification of myimprovement in velocipedes, signed this 16th day of February, 1869.

Witnesses: J. RANKIN.

ALEXR. A. O. KLAUCKE, SAMUEL SMITH. 

